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About this project

The Goal

To publish a book of moral fables based on modern reasoning and values suitable for both children and adults of all religious or non-religious backgrounds.

Many of us have grown up with stories that taught us lessons. Almost every children's story book in existence is not just meant to entertain the child, but to teach. It may be as simple as a book that uses basic words and sentences to help a child learn to read, or a story that has several characters interacting to teach lessons about how to behave in society. This book will be the latter.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a fable as: a short story that usually is about animals and that is intended to teach a lesson

Though some fables are still popular and relevant there are many that are not. This project is an attempt to write and fully illustrate modern fables with themes that are based on morals reached through reason. The fables should help parents in instructing their children to question everything and make their own conclusions on a variety of topics but with fun-filled stories and quirky characters.

Some of the best children's books from my youth: The Cat in the Hat, The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, or The Berenstain Bears feature anthropomorphic animal characters. I became enamored with the whimsical art, and imaginative yet also insightful stories. I learned valuable lessons without even realizing it. I want to carry on this tradition and craft an illustrated story book to fill a child's heart with wonder.

Preliminary Cover Concept

The Stories

The Fish Out of Water

A fish dreams of seeing the world above the water. The other fish tell him it’s unnatural. He seeks out a way to reach the surface, and through trial and error devises a way. With the help of his friend, a hermit crab, he travels to the upper world in a bottle of water where he sees amazing wonders. He returns to the ocean and tells the other fish what he saw. Many don’t believe him, but a few do and they work together to invent new and better ways to go up again.

Fish Out of Water Concept Art

The Bronze King of the Squirrels

A well fed community of squirrels lives in the park. They have an abundance of nuts, and life is good. A group of the squirrels attributes their prosperity to a great bronze statue recently erected in the center of the park. The great wise-squirrels insist that the statue is their god, and that a nut sacrifice is necessary to show homage. When a disaster strikes and nuts are no longer plentiful, the wise-squirrels start blaming the squirrels that don’t sacrifice. More restrictive rules are enforced. The wise-squirrels demands more sacrifice, and insist that the squirrels spend more time in devotion to the statue. A small group of squirrels that have refused to sacrifice their nuts instead find a new source of food. Conflict develops between the two groups who must find a way to coexist.

Bronze King Concept Art

The Fox and the Rabbit

A fox makes a living swindling small animals with tricks. We see him successfully trick several small critters into a trap to eat them. Eventually he comes upon a group of rabbits, and he attempts his usual shenanigans. One rabbit stands up and says “Balderdash!” The fox tries to assure the startled rabbits that his claim is true, but the skeptic rabbit demands proof. The fox tries to prove it, but in the attempt gives away the truth inadvertently. The rabbits all run away and survive, and the fox has no easy meal.

Fox Concept Art

Rabbit Concept Art

Further Stories = Stretch Goals

Assuming the minimum goal is reached, further stories will be added and unlocked as stretch goals.

The more we raise, the longer the book gets!

Possible Stories:

The Banishment of the Black Sheep (Prejudice)

Squirrels vs. Pigeons (Cultural conflicts)

Tugger and the Tugboats (Tradition becoming outdated)

and more.

Stay tuned for updates to this section if we reach our goal.

Interior Layout

While this is something that is likely to change, I have done some preliminary concepts of how the interior of the book might look.

Interior Concept

Kicking it Forward

If this project is successful, I will donate 5% of my profits when all is said and done to other Kickstarter projects. Please visit http://kickingitforward.org/ for more info.

Risks and challenges

The biggest hurdle to any publishing project is time and money. I don't have the financial backing to devote my full time efforts to this project on my own. Part time efforts on this project would take a very long time to complete. My hope is that there are enough people out there that would want to see this project succeed and that they find this Kickstarter. If I reach my goal, or more, I can devote my full time attention to this project.

Based on full time work I can likely complete this project by the Summer. I've factored in time for writing, editing, storyboarding, illustrating, and the final layout and publishing details. Obviously there is potential for unseen factors to delay the completion time of the project, but I will make every effort to complete it on time or soon after.

Next is publishing. After some research I've come to the conclusion that Amazon Createspace is the best publishing option for me. I'll be able to quickly ship out books anywhere in the world, and they offer excellent options for a full color format books. I'm willing to change this if a better option arises or if problems emerge with using Createspace.

Actually, yes! The protagonist of the Squirrel story will be female. Also, if we make the goal the protagonist of the sheep story is female. The fish is described as male in the description here, but could easily be either and is not set in stone at this point.

Rewards

$10 reward

$15 reward

DRM Free PDF copy of book and High Resolution Digital Concept Art Pack.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2014

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$25 reward

54 backers

Professionally printed copy of the book.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

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$30 reward

15 backers

Professionally printed copy of the book and DRM Free PDF copy of book.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

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$40 reward

4 backers

Print Copy, DRM Free PDF, and High Resolution Digital Art Pack.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

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$60 reward

0 backers

Print Copy, DRM Free PDF, High Resolution Digital Art Pack and Professionally Printed Poster with limited edition art not used in the book.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

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$80 reward

0 backers

Print Copy, DRM Free PDF, High Resolution Digital Art Pack and Professionally Printed Poster with limited edition art not used in the book. PLUS Name on the upcoming book website as a special backer.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

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$100 reward

3 backers
Limited (97 left of 100)

Signed Print Copy, Printed Poster, DRM Free PDF, High Resolution Digital Art Pack, and Name on the upcoming book website as an extra special backer.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

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$100 reward

9 backers
Limited (11 left of 20)

SPECIAL - Custom caricature of yourself, drawn as in a fantasy or superhero stlye outfit of your choosing. (Digital file). --

Signed Print Copy, DRM Free PDF, High Resolution Digital Art Pack and Professionally Printed Poster with limited edition art not used in the book. PLUS Name on the upcoming book website as a special backer.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

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$250 reward

1 backer
Limited (9 left of 10)

Your name printed in the Acknowledgements. Signed Print Copy, Printed Poster, DRM Free PDF, and High Resolution Digital Art Pack. Name on the upcoming book website as an extra special backer.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

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$500 reward

2 backers
Limited (3 left of 5)

One character named after you in the book. Your name printed in the Acknowledgements. Signed Print Copy, Printed Poster, DRM Free PDF, and High Resolution Digital Art Pack. Name on the upcoming book website as a super extra special backer.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Feb 11, 2014 - Mar 4, 2014
(21 days)

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